Blumenthal, Murphy declare war on heroin

Washington – Connecticut Sens. Richard Blumenthal and Chris Murphy have declared war on heroin, insisting the federal government do more to combat what has become a particularly lethal drug that claims, on the average, one life in the state every day.

The recent death of actor Phillip Seymour Hoffman of a drug overdose, has turned the attention of the nation — and Connecticut’s Democratic senators — to the dangers of the potent, and impure, form of heroin on the black market today and to the increasing number of users of prescription drugs who “graduate” to heroin.

“This dramatic increase of heroin use and abuse in Connecticut is unlike anything we’ve ever seen,” Murphy said. “Our state has lost hundreds more people to heroin use in the last year, but we’re not doing enough to change the way we address this crisis.”

The senators made a number of recommendations, including:

Increased federal funding for treatment;

Increased funding for the Statewide Narcotics Task Force, a coordinated effort between Connecticut State Police, local law enforcement agencies and the Drug Enforcement Administration to handle the rise in “tainted” heroin and trafficking;

The use of federal funds to implement and evaluate strategies to help prevent prescription drug abuse;

Increased the availability of Naloxene, a drug that helps fight heroin addiction, and changes to law so those who administer the drug cannot be sued for damages if a victim cannot be saved.

Blumenthal said, “there is no room for turf wars” between local and federal law enforcement or health officials.

“This epidemic requires the attention and collaboration of federal, state and local officials. There is a beltway of cheap, highly toxic and highly pure heroin coming into the country and our communities from organized corporate cartels in Colombia and Mexico. We cannot mince words or waste time,” Blumenthal said.

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Ana is a longtime Washington correspondent who has won numerous awards, including from The Associated Press and Gannett, has written for more than a dozen newspapers, including USAToday; The (Jackson, Miss.) Clarion-Ledger; the Shreveport (La.) Times; and the Montgomery (Ala.) Advertiser. She’s also been a regular contributor to other publications, including the Miami Herald and Advertising Age. Some of the stories Ana has broken focused on the strategies of disgraced lobbyist Jack Abramoff, former Sen. Trent Lott’s fall from power and questionable Hurricane Katrina contracts. A regular contributor to WNPR, Connecticut Public Radio, a partner of The Mirror, Ana is a graduate of the University of Maryland School of Journalism. E-mail her at aradelat@ctmirror.org.

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